Mechanical Device, Method and System for  Conserving  Water, Energy, Time in the Kitchen, Time for Personal Washing, and Reducing Household Scalding

ABSTRACT

A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid includes a first capillary for transporting a first fluid in the faucet spout, a second capillary for transporting a second fluid in the faucet spout and a mixer at a the expulsive end of the faucet spout for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid. The first capillary may be substantially D shaped, and the second capillary may be substantially D shaped. The first capillary may be substantially circular shaped, and the second capillary may be substantially circular shaped. The first capillary may be coaxial with the second capillary, or the first capillary may not be coaxial with the second capillary. The faucet spout may include a third capillary, and the third capillary may not be coaxial with the first capillary or the second capillary.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based upon the provisional application filed on May 10, 2007 with a Ser. No. 60/746,917.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multiple capillary long faucet spout.

BACKGROUND

Long faucet spouts can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, athletic facility showers, bathing areas, medical pre-operating areas and the like. Typically, these long faucet spouts are connected to various fluid sources such as water which may be of different temperatures including hot and cold and includes other fluids such as liquid soap, special disinfectants and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,370 discloses a tri-mix beverage dispensing system includes an unsweetened flavor concentrate assembly, a sweetener syrup assembly, and a diluent assembly, such as for carbonated water. These ingredients are mixed together to form a post-mix beverage. Mixing occurs outboard of a nozzle structure to obtain a wide variety of beverage flavors without flavor carry-over from the nozzle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,046 discloses a concentrate supply assembly for a post-mix beverage dispenser includes a plurality of containers for concentrate with discharge openings through which concentrate may flow. A plurality of conduits are coupled to the discharge openings and are in fluid communication with concentrate disposed within the containers. A multi-channel linear pump is provided with a pump body or bodies, including bores disposed within the pump bodies, pistons operatively mounted within the bores for reciprocation and piston shafts connected to the pistons. An A.C. synchronous motor is connected to the piston shafts for imparting constant-speed reciprocal motion to the piston shafts and to the pistons disposed within the bores. Inlet ports are in fluid communication with the conduits and bores for supplying concentrate thereto during a reciprocal motion of the pistons in a first direction. Outlet ports are in fluid communication with the bores for discharging concentrate from the bores during a reciprocal motion of the pistons in a reverse direction. A ball joint connection is provided between the piston shafts and the motor for enabling accurate positioning of the piston connected to the piston shaft within the bore.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,266 discloses a post-mix beverage dispensing system includes a completely disposable concentrate dispensing assembly, a non-disposable mixing nozzle structure which mixes concentrate and water without permitting the concentrate to touch or mix within any nozzle walls and a valving system which permits a single peristaltic pump wheel to selectively dispense concentrate from one of a plurality of concentrate supplies operatively associated with the single pump wheel.

The above mentioned references cannot achieve the advantages listed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 which includes a long spout 20. FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a hot water supply pipe 30 for delivering hot water and is connected to an input port of a hot water valve 50 and a cold water supply pipe 40 for delivering cold water and is connected to an input port of a cold water valve 52. The output port of the hot water valve 50 and the output port of the cold water valve 52 are connected to a hot and cold water mixing region 60 to mix the hot water and the cold water.

The hot and cold water mixing region 60 is located at the proximate inlet end of the spout 20 and the mixed hot and cold water flow through the approximate entire length of the spout 20.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a longneck faucet spout which includes a short mixer and an optional aerator at the expulsive end of the faucet spout to receive and mix hot and cold water giving warm water and optionally a pleasing aerated effect. The present invention provides separate apertures at the expulsive end of the faucet spout to separately dispense various fluids, keeping some fluids segregated and preventing the unwanted mixing with the water stream of some fluids such as liquids including soap and disinfectant.

It is within the scope of the invention for the multiple capillary system to be air conditioning conduits with hot and cold forced air mixing accomplished at the expulsive outlets of an air conditioning system, and not within the delivery system but near or proximate to the expulsive outlets.

The multiple capillaries may be physically touching or separated, and may be unenclosed or enclosed within a protective covering which may be an insulating or decorative exterior pipe from the valve base to the expulsive mixing end of the capillaries, or may be only a portion of this length.

An objective of the present invention is to reduce the consumption of fluid by implementing the teachings of the present invention. The present invention is intended to reduce the consumption of fluid, energy, time as well as reducing minor kitchen scalding or other unanticipated temperature change related injury, irritation or discomfort in the kitchen, shower area, bathing area, medical sanitation area, or like facility where hot and cold running water are mixed within piping to obtain a desired intermediate temperature as well as only hot or only cold water. This is an additional benefit which results from the present invention by eliminating the waste of water, energy and time from expelling the spout volume of water of the in desired temperature when there is a change in desired temperature.

Assuming a 10 inch round spout of approximately one half inch inside diameter and assuming approximately 20 usages of the spout per household per day, the annual waste is approximately 60 gallons per household per year. Assuming there are 100 million households in the United States, the present invention could result in an annual water savings of approximately 6,000,000,000 (6 billion) gallons of a scarce water resource. Furthermore, assuming that half of this wasted water had been heated from a cold temperature of approximately 40° Fahrenheit to a hot temperature of 140° Fahrenheit the energy, Then the energy that has been wasted is equivalent to 400,000 (four hundred thousand) barrels of oil annually for the United States based on the above-mentioned assumptions.

A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid includes a first capillary for transporting a first fluid in the faucet spout, a second capillary for transporting a second fluid in the faucet spout and a mixer at a the expulsive end of the faucet spout for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid.

The first capillary may be substantially D shaped in cross-section, and may be paired with the second capillary may be substantially D shaped in cross-section, so that the closely positioned capillaries approximately form a substantially circular or substantially oval cross-section.

Alternatively, the first capillary in cross-section may be substantially circular, oval, square, hexagonal or other decoratively designed shapes, and also, the second capillary in cross-section may be of other shapes other than D. To satisfy a variety of aesthetic desires, the functionality is considered similar and within the scope of the invention and may include cross sectional appearances that may change from the inlet to the expulsive end of the individual capillaries.

The first capillary may be coaxial with the second capillary or the first capillary may not be coaxial with the second capillary.

In In a similar fashion, the faucet spout may include a third capillary, and the third capillary may or may not be coaxial with the first capillary or the second capillary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of a conventional hot and cold mixing faucet;

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of a multiple capillary long spout faucet of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of the multiple capillary of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a two valve faucet spout of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first non-coaxial spout cross section.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second coaxial spout cross section in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a single two-valve faucet utilizing a multiple capillary;

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a third non-coaxial spout cross section in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fourth non-coaxial spout cross section in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2A illustrates the faucet spout system 80 of the present invention. The faucet spout system 80 includes a first fluid supply pipe 30 which is input to a first fluid valve 50 to transport a first fluid such as hot water and a second fluid supply pipe 40 which is input to a second fluid valve 52 to transport a second fluid such as cold water. The faucet spout system 80 includes a multiple capillary long faucet spout 90 which is connected to the first fluid valve 50 and the second fluid valve 52. The output of the first fluid valve 50 is connected to a first capillary 120 transport the first fluid from the first fluid valve 50 to the expulsive end of the faucet spout 90 and the output of the second fluid valve 52 is connected to a second capillary 130 to transport the second fluid from the second fluid valve 52 to the expulsive end of the faucet spout 90. The first fluid is not mixed with the second fluid until the first fluid and the second fluid reach the expulsive end of the faucet spout 90.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section 100 of the multiple capillary spout 90 of the present invention. The cross section 100 illustrates the first capillary 120 for transporting the first fluid and the second capillary 130 for transporting the second fluid. The first capillary 120 and the second capillary 130 are substantially D shaped and are separated by a separator wall 110 (or may be a first and second wall having an insulating dead space between the first and second wall) which extends from the proximate inlet end of the faucet spout 90 to the expulsive end of the faucet spout 90.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a two valve faucet system 80 including the multiple capillary faucet spout 90 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the first fluid supply pipe 30 and second fluid supply pipe 40 which are connected to the first fluid valve 50 and the second fluid valve 52 respectively. Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates the separator wall 110 (or walls) extending along the multiple capillary faucet spout 90 of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross section of the spout of the spout faucet 90 showing the first capillary 120 in fluid communication with the first fluid supply pipe 30 and the second capillary 130 in fluid communication with the second fluid supply pipe 40. The separator wall 110 (or walls) approximately extends along a diameter of the multiple capillary faucet spout 90.

FIG. 4B illustrates another coaxial embodiment of the multiple capillary faucet spout 90. The first capillary 420 is shown as a substantial first circular cross section and being enclosed by the second capillary 430 which is shown as a substantial second circular cross section. While the circular cross section is shown, other cross sections such as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal or other appropriate cross sections are within the scope of the invention. The first capillary 420 is separated by the second capillary 430 by the separator wall 410. The first capillary 420 and the second capillary 430 are in fluid communication with the first fluid supply pipe 30 and the second fluid supply pipe 40, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a dual valve faucet 140 using the multiple capillary faucet spout 90 of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates the first capillary 120 and the second capillary 130 of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A illustrates a cross section of the multiple capillary faucet spout 90 having a first capillary 620 and a second capillary 630 having circular cross section and are not coaxial.

FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention including a first capillary 620, a second capillary 630 and a third capillary 640. The first capillary 620, the second capillary 630 and a third capillary 640 have a substantially circular cross section and are not coaxial with respect to each other.

The valves described above may be manually or remotely controlled, and if remotely controlled, may be either electrically or optically controlled. The Inventor discloses a system of which the present invention is an example application that illustrates devices, methods or systems that conserve a volume of water in conjunction with a delivery process or system. In light of the advantages, the inventor attempts to quantify the annual savings of water and associated annual savings of energy, within a specific geographic area or other appropriate analytic unit.

Denote the following variable quantities with bold letters as shown below:

V=resources conserved volume in cubic inches per occurrence of a resource consuming event.

If the volume may be further understood in terms of a cross sectional area and other dimensional measurements, exemplified in inches, but understood for any correct use of other units (such as, but not limited to, metric, for example):

C=cross sectional area in square inches of a uniformly extended volume, uniform in cross section, such as but not limited to a circular cross section of a cylindrical pipe, or having other cross sectional shape, such as, but not limited to, the cross-sectional area of a lengthy tubular conduit that is D shaped in cross section, for example.

The circular cross sectional area may be further understood in terms of diameter or radius as follows

D=The inside diameter in inches of a circular cross section of a circular conduit, π=the mathematical constant pi relating the area of a circle to the square of its radius. Hence C=πr²=π(D/2)²=πD²/4 which is approximately 3.1416 D²/4=0.7854D²

L=The length in inches of a uniformly extended volume V, uniform in cross section, as in a circular cross section of a cylinder, or cross section of other shapes, such as, but not limited to a lengthy tubular conduit that is D shaped in cross section, for example.

F=The estimated frequency per day of the consuming and associated conservation event or usage of a conservation device at each location or monitoring or census location of a plurality of conservation devices.

N=The estimated number of conservation device locations or device usage monitoring locations per geographic area or political unit or any other conservation analysis unit.

Bbl Oil Equivalent=The energy equivalent in barrels of oil, using 5,800,000 BTU/Bbl Oil; “BTU” abbreviates “British Thermal Unit”

Then the following formulae provide estimates of annual water savings, in gallons of water is

G=V×F×N×365×(2.54)³×( 1/1000)×(1.0567)×(¼) or

G=C×L×F×N×365×(2.54)³×( 1/1000)×(1.0567)×(¼) or

G=πr ² ×L×F×N×365×(2.54)³×( 1/1000)×(1.0567)×(¼) or

G=0.7854D ² ×L×F×N×365×(2.54)³×( 1/1000)×(1.0567)×(¼)

That is,

G=V×F×N×1.58 or G=C×L×F×N×1.58 or G=πr²×L×F×N×1.58 or G=D²×L×F×N×1.241

In the application to the present invention, this leads to

G=(½)²×10×20×100,000,000×1.241 or Approximately 6.2 Billion gallons of water

When wasted water has been heated up to but not exceeding boiling, then

HtempF=the hot temperature measured in Fahrenheit degrees after heating, less than or equal to 212 degrees at sea level and less than 212 at higher elevations.

CtempF=the cold temperature measured in Fahrenheit degrees before heating, greater than or equal to 32 degrees

Then the following formulae approximate the annual water heating energy savings in barrels of oil energy equivalent.

Bbl Oil Equivalent=Annual gallons of wasted heated water×8×(HtempF−CtempF)/(5,800,000 BTU/barrel of oil), that is

Bbl Oil Equivalent=G×8×(HtempF−CtempF)/5,800,000=Bbl Oil Equivalent=G×(HtempF−CtempF)×8/5,800,000=Bbl Oil Equivalent=G×(HtempF−CtempF)×0.0000013793103448

In the application to the present invention, this calculates the energy lost in heating one half of the wasted water through a range of 100 (one hundred) Fahrenheit degrees

(Recall G=(½)²×10×20×100,000,000×1.241=approximately 6.2 Billion gallons of water)

Bbl Oil Equivalent=G×8×(HtempF−CtempF)/5,800,000 Bbl Oil Equivalent=(6.2 Billion/2)×8×(140−40)/5,800,000 Bbl Oil Equivalent=approximately 400,000 barrels of oil annually. (More precisely, 427,586 barrels of oil.)

It is this conservation of water and energy resources that is among the benefits of the present invention and is utterly lacking in any of the prior art devices.

The benefits of the present invention include a savings of water, energy, time, reduce minor scalding in the kitchen, bathroom and other washing areas and having both hot and cold water.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid, comprising: a first capillary for transporting a first fluid to an expulsive end of the faucet spout; a second capillary for transporting a second fluid to the expulsive end of the faucet spout; a mixer at the expulsive end of the faucet spout for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid. 2) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein said first capillary is substantially D shaped. 3) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein a second capillary is substantially D shaped. 4) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein the first capillary is substantially circular shaped. 5) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 4, wherein the second capillary is substantially circular shaped. 6) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 5, wherein the first capillary is coaxial with the second capillary. 7) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 5, wherein the first capillary is not coaxial with the second capillary. 8) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein the faucet spout includes a third capillary. 9) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 8, wherein the third capillary is not coaxial with the first capillary. 10) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 8, wherein the third capillary is not coaxial with the second capillary. 11) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid, comprising the steps of: transporting a first fluid in the faucet spout through a first capillary; transporting a second fluid in the faucet spout through a second capillary; mixing at an expulsive end of the faucet spout the first fluid and the second fluid with a mixer. 12) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 11, wherein said first capillary is substantially D shaped. 13) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 11, wherein a second capillary is substantially D shaped. 14) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 11, wherein the first capillary is substantially circular shaped. 15) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 4, wherein the second capillary is substantially circular shaped. 16) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 15, wherein the first capillary is coaxial with the second capillary. 17) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 15, wherein the first capillary is not coaxial with the second capillary. 18) A method for using a faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 11, wherein the faucet spout includes a third capillary. 19) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein said faucet spout achieves substantial energy savings. 20) A faucet spout for dispensing a fluid as in claim 1, wherein said first capillary is air-conditioned through air-conditioning ducts. 